Impact protection glove

ABSTRACT

A protective glove for working environments includes a protective member that cushions parts of the wearer&#39;s hand from impacts. The glove can be formed of a hollow shell defining a cavity that is configured to receive the hand of the wearer. The shell can be formed of nonwoven material other flexible, extensible material. The glove can include a protective member that can be formed of a layer of perforated foam material that has been attached to at least one portion of the glove. When attached to the glove to provide protection against impacts to the wearer&#39;s hand, the protective member is breathable and extensible when the glove is worn.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

People doing various work asks can suffer accidental impacts to theirhands, and the hands can be damaged thereby. Some industrial glovesoffer protection for the back of the hand. For example, there areknuckle straps. U.S. Pat. No. 4,094,014 to Schroeder discloses aworkman's glove that has a knuckle-protecting surface to protect theknuckles on the back of the hand. The knuckle-protecting cushion pads 16are made of flexible cloth, rubber or the like and adhered to theunderlying glove material by glue, stitching and the like and aredisposed to prevent a hand in the glove from inadvertently bruisingknuckles against a work surface. The glove is provided by material thatis a flexible sheath of rubber, cloth, rubberized cloth or the like. Theknuckle protecting pad can be provided with a plurality of ventilatingholes, and the padding can be about ⅛ inch thick. The glove (FIG. 5) cancomprise a sheath of woven open mesh filament.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,051,553 to Howard discloses a hand protector in the formof a hard foam rubber pad that is affixed to the back of a lightweightcotton glove for a football player and extends over the knuckles of ahand that is placed into the glove. The pad is molded so as to force thefingers to naturally curl without conscious effort, but allowing thefingers to be straightened with conscious effort. The back of the handis protected by the pad from direct injury.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,940 to Johnson discloses a glove that is breathableand has moisture absorbing properties and yet includes a foam surfacelaminated to a substrate with the amount of air in the foam surfacedepending upon the degree of abrasion resistance required.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,864,660 to Sawyer discloses a flexible hand glove thathas a protective package attached to the back portion, the glove beingstretchable in multiple dimensions. The protective package is made fromone or several layers of foam that can be placed between nylon micromeshforming the body of the glove and a cover formed of cowhide such thatthe edges of the cowhide can be attached to the nylon micromesh.However, the cowhide is stiff and detracts from the flexibility of theportion of the glove that covers the knuckles.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,692 to Dorr discloses a snowboarder's glove thatincludes an inside layer 240 formed of a soft textile fabric and anouter layer 230. An insulation layer 250 may be made of foam.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,829,061 to Visgil et al discloses a work glove made ofsheet foam material having a thickness between one millimeter and fivemillimeters. Referring to FIG. 4, the glove is composed of a sheet foammaterial that is elastic, nonabsorbent and acts as an insulator. Thesheet material includes a closed cell foam core and is surrounded bythin sheets of fabric. A fleece liner may be provided on the thin sheetof fabric. The foam core is preferably made of neoprene. The fabricpreferably is nylon, spandex or other such material. If the sheet foammaterial is too thick, it prevents the wearer from effectively movingthe fingers.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,162 issued to Douglas et al discloses a handprotection system for protecting the back of the hand. The underside ofa cushioning pad formed of open cellular foam material is releaseablyconnected by Velcro to the back surface of a glove and releaseablyconnected by Velcro to a protective plate of rigid plastic material.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,000,259 issued to Matechen discloses a glove having aback padding at the back portion of the glove. The padding comprises anenergy dissipating media that is encapsulated in a flexible layer.

The continuing work in this field hints that the ideal balance betweenadequate protection for the hand, breathability, flexibility andaffordability has yet to be attained.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be set forth inpart in the following description, or may be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned through practice of the presentdisclosure.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, aprotective glove for working environments can be provided with aprotective member that cushions one or more parts of the wearer's handfrom impacts. The glove can be formed of a hollow shell defining acavity that is configured to receive the hand of the wearer. The shellcan be formed of one or more materials. However, in the portions of theshell where the impact protection is desired to cover parts of the handthat will stretch the glove to accommodate hand movements, the shelldesirably includes flexible, extensible and retractable material in suchportions of the shell. Moreover, in such portions of the shell, theflexible, extensible and retractable material desirably is alsobreathable. Various non-woven materials for example can be used to formthese portions of the shell.

The glove can include a protective member that can be configured tocover one or more portions of the glove where the impact protection isdesired to cover parts of the hand that will stretch the glove toaccommodate hand movements. The protective member desirably can beformed of a layer of perforated foam material that has been renderedperforated by a multiplicity of slits, which are defined completelythrough the foam layer to form a perforated foam layer. The longerdimension of each of the slits seen from one of the opposite surfaces ofthe layer of foam typically is oriented in the same direction, and thusall of the slits run parallel to each other. That one direction of theslits typically is determined by the machine that makes the sheet offoam and thus typically is termed the machine direction of the layer offoam.

The slits in the perforated foam layer allow for expansion of theperforated foam layer and thereby impart extensibility to the protectivemember. Upon donning the glove and movement of the hand within theglove, the slits open into cells to accommodate the expansion of thefoam layer. These cells defined by the opposed walls of the slits andare closed at the end that is attached to the shell such that theexpanded cells and the underlying portion of the shell define a networkof relatively large closed cells in the foam layer. The foam materialis, in turn, defined by smaller open cells, closed cells, or acombination of open and closed cells. Thus, it should be appreciated,that the foam material and system of closed expanded cells provide eachprotective member with an overall total impact protection.

The layer of foam material of the protective member is of sufficientthickness and rigidity such that the protected part of the hand wouldstill be breathable, and the glove would not lose any desiredextensibility that attends the breathable and extensible material thatforms the corresponding portion of the shell. Desirably, the perforatedfoam layer of the protective member can have a basis weight of, forexample, in a range of about 100 grams per square meter (gsm) to about300 gsm. Other basis weights for the perforated foam layer of theprotective member also are contemplated within the scope of thedisclosure.

The layer of perforated foam material that is included as part of theprotective member desirably is permanently attached to a portion of theshell formed of extensible and retractable material where the impactprotection is desired to cover parts of the hand that will stretch theglove to accommodate hand movements. The attachment of the layer ofperforated foam to the shell can be effected in any of a number ofconventional ways, including adhesives, heat sealing, pin point bonding,and ultrasonic bonding. Desirably, the layer of perforated foam materialcan be laminated to a portion of the shell formed of extensible andretractable material. For example, the perforated layer of foam could beultrasonically attached to a suitable nonwoven material forming aportion of the glove's shell or heat sealed thereto.

The perforated foam layer of the protective member is characterized bybeing extensible to its maximum extent in a preferred direction. Thelonger dimension of each of the slits defines a directional parameter(often referred to as the machine direction because of the way that thematerial is produced) to the perforated foam because substantially allof the slits are defined parallel to this directional parameter. Thedirection in which the foam is extensible to the greatest extent isperpendicular to the direction in which the slit's longer dimensionextends. When the protective member is attached to the shell of theglove, the direction of alignment of the slits in the perforated foamlayer should be oriented so that this alignment direction (i.e., themachine direction) is perpendicular to the direction in which the handmovements will stretch the glove.

Desirably, in one embodiment, the protective member can be attached tothe back portion of the glove to provide protection against impacts tothe back of the wearer's hand, while rendering the back of the glovebreathable through the protective member and extensible and retractablewhen the glove is worn. When the hand moves from the open palmconfiguration to the closed first configuration, the back of the handstretches in the direction in which the fingers of the hand extendoutwardly away from the palm of the hand. In order to more efficientlyaccommodate stretching movement of the back of the hand when the handflexes between the open palm configuration and the closed firstconfiguration, the protective member desirably can be disposed on theback of the glove so that a substantial proportion of the slits in thefoam layer are aligned generally perpendicular to the direction in whichthe fingers point outwardly away from the palm when the hand assumes theopen palm configuration.

In another embodiment, the protective member can be attached to the backportion of the glove over one of the knuckles of one of the fingerportions of the shell to provide protection against impacts to thatfinger's knuckle, while rendering that portion of the glove breathableand extensible and retractable when the glove is worn. In order to moreefficiently accommodate stretching movement of the finger when thefinger flexes that knuckle between the open palm configuration and theclosed first configuration, the protective member desirably can bedisposed on that portion of the glove's shell so that a substantialproportion of the slits in the foam layer are aligned generallyperpendicular to the direction in which that finger points away from thepalm when the hand assumes the open palm configuration. In still otherembodiments, the protective member can be attached to the backportion(s) of the glove over more than one of the knuckles of one of thefinger portions of the shell and/or more than one of the fingers of theglove to provide protection against impacts to the knuckles of thosefingers, while rendering those portions of the glove breathable andextensible and retractable when the glove is worn.

At least a back portion of the shell can be formed by a first layer ofbreathable and extensible material that is configured to cover the backof the glove's wearer. The back portion of the shell can define an innersurface facing the back of the wearer's hand and an outer surfaceopposite the inner surface. The back portion of the shell can beconfigured to cover the knuckles of the glove's wearer. The glove alsocan include a protective member that can be formed as described aboveand that is configured to cover the back portion of the shell and thatis connected permanently to the back portion of the shell.

At least one skin layer, which desirably can be formed by a thin layerof spunbond material, can be attached to the outer surface of the layerof perforated foam. In a further embodiment of the present disclosure, aseparate skin layer can be applied to each of the inner and outersurfaces of the foam layer such that the foam layer is sandwichedbetween the two skin layers. The layer of perforated foam material thatis included as part of the protective member can be laminated betweentwo skin layers, one on each opposite surface of the layer of perforatedfoam material. The inner and outer skin layers can be formed of anextensible material to accommodate expansion of the foam layer, and in aparticular embodiment may comprise liquid permeable nonwoven materials.In such an embodiment, the protective member is attached permanently toat least one portion of the glove by adhering one of the skin layers tothat at least one portion of the glove that is formed of flexible,extensible and retractable material and configured to cover a part ofthe hand that is to be shielded from the effects of impacts. Each of theskin layers is extensible to at least a degree necessary to alsoaccommodate the expansion of the perforated foam layer. In oneembodiment, each skin layer may comprise a liquid permeable elastomericnonwoven material. In one configuration, the outer skin layer may be ahydrophobic nonwoven material.

Each of the skin layers laminated to the perforated foam layer of theprotective member may be, for example, a nonwoven material, particularlya hydrophobic nonwoven web such as a spunbond material. Each of the skinlayers desirably can have a basis weight of, for example, in a range ofabout 10 grams per square meter (gsm) to about 50 gsm. The laminate oftwo skin layers sandwiching the perforated foam layer to form theprotective member desirably can comprise a total basis weight of lessthan about 600 gsm.

The protective member having the expanded closed cell configuration mayalso include any one or combination of thermal or physicalcharacteristics. For example, the foam layer may have a basis weight ofless than about 180 gsm, which when combined with the skin layer on onesurface of the foam layer may comprise a total basis weight of less thanabout 200 gsm. The protective member may have a bulk thickness of lessthan about 4.0 mm, and more particularly less than about 3.5 mm or 3.0mm. The protective member may have a single layer thickness of less thanabout 4.0 mm, and more particularly less than about 3.0 mm.

An inner skin layer of the protective member can be permanently appliedor attached, as by lamination, to the inner surface of the foam layer,while the outer surface of the foam layer can remain exposed in someembodiments of the protective glove. In other words, a skin layer is notapplied to the outer surface of the foam layer.

In use of the glove, the protective member expands to accommodatemovements of the hand wearing the glove. The passages in the foam layeropen to accommodate this expansion and provide an impact-cushioning padthat protects the glove's wearer against the potentially adverse effectsof impacts to those portions of the hand covered by the protectivemember. As a less expensive alternative to cotton gloves, the glove ofthe present disclosure would be breathable and extensible andretractable in areas where movement of the hand demanded and yet provideimpact protection to those same areas of the hand while not undulyimpeding hand movement that stretches the glove.

Other features and aspects of the present disclosure are described inmore detail below with reference to particular embodiments illustratedin the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present disclosure, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, whichmakes reference to the appended figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a protective article that is a glove inaccordance with one exemplary embodiment wherein the back of the gloveis facing the viewer, and the palm of the glove is not visible andsections of the glove are cut away to reveal structure that otherwisewould not be visible to the viewer.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a shell that can be used to form part ofa glove in accordance with one exemplary embodiment wherein the backportion of the shell is facing the viewer, and the palm portion of theshell is not visible.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-section taken along the lines 3-3 in the viewshown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the inside of a section of the glove'sshell where two edges of material have been joined by a seam.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the inside of a section of the glove'sshell of FIG. 4 that has been everted where two edges of material havebeen joined by a seam.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a section of the back of the glove ofFIG. 1 with the glove's outermost layer of material removed from viewand sections of the foam layer are cut away to reveal structure thatotherwise would not be visible to the viewer.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a section of theglove of FIGS. 1 and 9 wherein sections of layers are cut away to revealstructure that otherwise would not be visible to the viewer.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view that schematically represents an embodimentof a protective member sandwiched between two skin layers.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a protective article that is a glove inaccordance with other exemplary embodiments wherein the back of theglove is facing the viewer, and the palm of the glove is not visible andsections of the glove are cut away to reveal structure that otherwisewould not be visible to the viewer.

FIG. 10 schematically represents a top plan view of a back portion ofthe shell configured to receive the middle finger of the right handtaken along the lines 10-10 in the view shown in FIG. 9 but after thefinger has been bent at the knuckle toward the palm so that theprotective member has been stretched by this movement of the finger.

FIG. 11 schematically represents a partial cross-section taken along thelines 11-11 in the view shown in FIG. 10 after the finger has been bentat the knuckle toward the palm so that the protective member has beenstretched by this movement of the finger.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Reference now will be made in detail to various embodiments of thedisclosure, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation, not limitation of thedisclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat various modifications and variations may be made in the presentdisclosure without departing from the scope or spirit of the disclosure.For instance, features illustrated or described as part of oneembodiment, may be used on another embodiment to yield a still furtherembodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover suchmodifications and variations.

DEFINITIONS

It is to be understood that the ranges mentioned herein include allranges located within the prescribed range. As such, all rangesmentioned herein include all sub-ranges included in the mentionedranges. For instance, a range from 100-200 also includes ranges from110-150, 170-190, and 153-162. Further, all limits mentioned hereininclude all other limits included in the mentioned limits. For instance,a limit of up to 7 also includes a limit of up to 5, up to 3, and up to4.5.

“Elastomeric” and “elastic” refer to materials having elastomeric orrubbery properties. Elastomeric materials, such as thermoplasticelastomers, are generally capable of recovering their shape afterdeformation when the deforming force is removed. Specifically, as usedherein, elastomeric is meant to be that property of any material whichupon application of an elongating force, permits that material to bestretchable to a stretched length which is at least about 20 percentgreater than its relaxed length, and that will cause the material torecover at least 30 percent of its elongation upon release of thestretching elongating force.

As used herein, the term “nonwoven fabric or web” means a web having astructure of individual fibers or threads which are interlaid, but notin an identifiable manner as in a knitted fabric. Nonwoven fabrics orwebs have been formed from various processes such as, for example,meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, and bonded carded webprocesses. The basis weight of nonwoven fabrics is usually expressed inounces of material per square yard (osy) or grams per square meter (gsm)and the fiber diameters are usually expressed in microns. (Note that toconvert from osy to gsm, multiply osy by 33.91).

As used herein, the term “polymer” generally includes but is not limitedto, homopolymers, copolymers, such as for example, block, graft, randomand alternating copolymers, terpolymers, etc. and blends andmodifications thereof. Furthermore, unless otherwise specificallylimited, the term “polymer” shall include all possible geometricalconfigurations of the molecule. These configurations include, but arenot limited to isotactic, syndiotactic and random symmetries.

As used herein, the term “spunbonded fibers or spunbond fibers” refersto small diameter fibers that are formed by extruding moltenthermoplastic material as filaments from a plurality of fine, usuallycircular capillaries of a spinneret with the diameter of the extrudedfilaments then being rapidly reduced to fibers as by, for example, inU.S. Pat. No. 4,340,563 to Appel et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,618 toDorschner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,802,817 to Matsuki et al., U.S. Pat.Nos. 3,338,992 and 3,341,394 to Kinney, U.S. Pat. No. 3,502,763 toHartman, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,542,615 to Dobo et al., the entire contentsof which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for allpurposes. Spunbond fibers are generally not tacky when they aredeposited on a collecting surface. Spunbond fibers are generallycontinuous and have diameters generally greater than about 7 microns,more particularly, between about 10 and about 20 microns.

As used herein, the term “meltblown fibers” means fibers formed byextruding a molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of fine,usually circular, die capillaries as molten threads or filaments intoconverging high velocity, usually hot, gas (e.g. air) streams whichattenuate the filaments of molten thermoplastic material to reduce theirdiameter, which may be to microfiber diameter. Thereafter, the meltblownfibers are carried by the high velocity gas stream and are deposited ona collecting surface to form a web of randomly disbursed meltblownfibers. Such a process is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.3,849,241 to Butin et al., the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated herein in their entirety for all purposes by thisreference. Meltblown fibers are microfibers that may be continuous ordiscontinuous with diameters generally less than 10 microns.

As used herein, the term “coform” means a meltblown material to which atleast one other material is added during the meltblown materialformation. The meltblown material may be made of various polymers,including elastomeric polymers. Various additional materials may beadded to the meltblown fibers during formation, including, for example,pulp, superabsorbent particles, cellulose or staple fibers. Coformprocesses are illustrated in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,464to Lau and U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,324 to Anderson et al., the entirecontents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety for allpurposes by this reference.

As used herein, the phrase “bonded carded web” refers to a web made fromstaple fibers that are sent through a combing or carding unit, whichseparates or breaks apart and aligns the staple fibers in the machinedirection to form a generally machine direction-oriented fibrousnonwoven web. Such fibers are usually obtained in bales and placed in anopener/blender or picker, which separates the fibers prior to thecarding unit. Once formed, the web may then be bonded by one or moreknown methods.

As used herein, the term “ultrasonic bonding” refers to a process inwhich materials (fibers, webs, films, etc.) are joined by passing thematerials between a sonic horn and anvil roll. An example of such aprocess is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,374,888 to Bornslaeger, theentire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein in theirentirety for all purposes by this reference. “Extensible” or“Extensibility” generally refers to a material that stretches or extendsin the direction of an applied force by at least about 200% of itsrelaxed length or width. An extensible material does not necessarilyhave recovery properties. For example, an elastomeric material is anextensible material having recovery properties. A meltblown web may beextensible, but not have recovery properties, and thus, be anextensible, non-elastic material.

As used herein, the phrase “extensible and retractable” refers to theability of a material to extend upon stretch and retract upon release.Extensible and retractable materials are those which, upon applicationof a biasing force, are stretchable to a stretched, biased length andwhich will recover a portion, preferably at least about 15 percent, oftheir elongation upon release of the stretching, biasing force.

As used herein, the term “breathable” means pervious to water vapor andgases. In other words, “breathable barriers” and “breathable films”allow water vapor and other gases to pass therethrough, but aresubstantially impervious to liquids such as water. For example,“breathable” can refer to a film or laminate having water vaportransmission rate (WVTR) of at least about 300 g/m²/24 hours measuredusing ASTM Standard E96-80, upright cup method, with minor variations asdescribed in the following Test Procedure.

A measure of the breathability of a fabric is the water vaportransmission rate (WVTR) which, for sample materials, is calculatedessentially in accordance with ASTM Standard E96-80 with minorvariations in test procedure as set forth hereinbelow. Circular samplesmeasuring three inches in diameter are cut from each of the testmaterials, and tested along with a control, which is a piece of“CELGARD” 2500 sheet from Celanese Separation Products of Charlotte,N.C. “CELGARD” 2500 sheet is a microporous polypropylene sheet. Threesamples are prepared for each material. The test dish is a No. 60-1Vapometer pan distributed by Thwing-Albert Instrument Company ofPhiladelphia, Pa. 100 milliliters of water is poured into each Vapometerpan and individual samples of the test materials and control materialare placed across the open tops of the individual pans. Screw-on flangesare tightened to form a seal along the edges of the pan, leaving theassociated test material or control material exposed to the ambientatmosphere over a 6.5 cm diameter circle having an exposed area ofapproximately 33.17 square centimeters. The pans are placed in a forcedair oven at 100.degree. F. (32.degree. C.) for one hour to equilibrate.The oven is a constant temperature oven with external air circulatingthrough it to prevent water vapor accumulation inside. A suitable forcedair oven is, for example, a Blue M Power-O-Matic 600 oven distributed byBlue M Electric Company of Blue Island, Ill. Upon completion of theequilibration, the pans are removed from the oven, weighed andimmediately returned to the oven. After 24 hours, the pans are removedfrom the oven and weighed again. The preliminary test water vaportransmission rate values are calculated as follows: Test WVTR=(gramsweight loss over 24 hours) times (315.5 g/m²/24 hours).

The relative humidity within the oven is not specifically controlled.Under predetermined set conditions of 100 degree F. (32 degree C.) andambient relative humidity, the WVTR for the “CELGARD” 2500 control hasbeen defined to be 5000 grams per square meter for 24 hours.Accordingly, the control sample was run with each test and thepreliminary test values were corrected to set conditions using thefollowing equation: WVTR=(test WVTR/control WVTR) times (5000 g/m²/24hrs.).

As used herein, a neck stretched bonded laminate is defined as alaminate made from the combination of a neck-bonded laminate and astretch-bonded laminate. Examples of necked stretched bonded laminatesare disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,114,781 and 5,116,662, which are bothhereby incorporated herein in their entireties for all purposes by thisreference.

The term “cell” i refers to a cavity that is defined in a foam. A cellis closed when the cell membrane surrounding the cavity or enclosedopening is not perforated and has all membranes intact. A cell is openwhen the cell membrane is perforated or not intact.

Generally speaking, the present disclosure is directed to a glove thatis formed of a shell that is provided with a protective member at one ormore locations of the glove. The protective member desirably is formedof a layer of perforated foam that has an inner surface that can bepermanently attached to the shell, either directly or through one ormore interposed layers of material. The protective member is permanentlyattached to a portion of the shell that is formed of material thatdesirably is both extensible and retractable to accommodate handmovements and breathable. The protective layer can include a skin layerlaminated to the outer surface of the perforated foam layer. Foraesthetic purposes, this skin layer desirably can be formed of spunbondmaterial. However other materials can be used as the skin layer, butsuch other materials desirably will be both extensible and retractableto accommodate hand movements and breathable.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, aprotective glove for working environments can be provided with aprotective member that cushions one or more parts of the wearer's handfrom impacts of external blunt force that could injure the hand. Asembodied herein and shown in FIG. 1 for example, an embodiment of aglove for use in work environments is generally designated by thenumeral 20. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the glove can be formed so as toinclude a hollow shell 21 that is configured to the shape of the hand ofthe wearer. As schematically shown in FIG. 3, the shell 21 defines acavity 22 that is configured to receive and encompass the hand of thewearer. In the views shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the back of theglove 20 and the shell 21, respectively, is facing the viewer, and thepalm of the glove 20 and the palm of the shell 21 are not visible.

The shell of the glove 20 can be formed of one or more materials.However, in the portions 21a of the shell 21 where the impact protectionis desired to cover parts of the hand that will stretch the glove toaccommodate hand movements, the shell 21 desirably is formed byflexible, extensible material that desirably is also retractable.Moreover, in such portions of the shell 21, the flexible, extensible andretractable material desirably is also breathable. The types ofmaterials that can be used in forming the shell 21 are described morefully below. For example, as described more fully below, variousnon-woven materials can be used to form these extensible and retractableportions 21a of the shell 21.

The shell 21 desirably has a thickness that permits the shell member toreadily conform to the shape of the hand that it surrounds. As shownschematically in FIGS. 4 and 5, the shell 21 may be formed by separatematerial layers that are bonded together at the edges. Such edges of thematerial can be bonded together by any suitable means, for example,sewing, soldering, heat sealing, ultrasonic welding, solvent welding,fold sealing, or the use of adhesives.

As shown schematically in FIG. 4 for example, the shell 21 can be formedof two sheets of material that have been joined together at theiroverlying edges to form a seam 23. As shown schematically in FIGS. 3 and5 for example, the shell 21 can be inverted so that the unfinished edges23a of the seams 23 become disposed inside the cavity 22 defined by theshell 21. In this way, the finished side 23b of the seam 23 is facingoutwardly when the glove is being worn, and the appearance of the seams23 presents a neater look.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the glove can include aprotective member that can be configured to cover one or more portionsof the glove where the impact protection is desired to cover parts ofthe hand that will stretch the glove to accommodate hand movements. Asembodied herein and shown in FIG. 1 for example, an embodiment of theprotective member is generally designated by the numeral 30. Asschematically shown in FIG. 1 for example, the protective member 30desirably can be formed of a layer 40 of perforated foam material thathas been rendered perforated by a multiplicity of slits 41 that havebeen cut through the thickness of the foam layer 40.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the protective member 30 isextensible, and the extensibility of the perforated foam layer 40 of theprotective member 30 has a directional characteristic. FIG. 8schematically depicts a layer 40 of perforated foam. The longerdimension of each of the slits 41 defines a directional parameter (oftenreferred to as the machine direction because of the way that the sheetsof foam material is produced) that characterizes the layer 40 ofperforated foam because all of the slits 41 are defined parallel to thisdirectional parameter. Each of FIGS. 1, 6 and 8 schematically shows thatthe longer dimension of each of the slits 41 typically is oriented inthe same direction, and thus all of the slits 41 run parallel to eachother. The double ended arrow designated 43 in each of FIGS. 1 and 8schematically represents the machine direction of the layer 40 ofperforated foam depicted therein.

The direction in which the layer 40 of foam is extensible to thegreatest extent is the direction that is perpendicular to the machinedirection, i.e., the direction 43 in each of FIGS. 1 and 8 in which theslit's longer dimension extends. As schematically shown in FIG. 1 forexample, when the protective member 30 is attached to the shell 21 ofthe glove 20, the direction of alignment of the slits 41 in theperforated foam layer 40 desirably should be oriented so that thisalignment direction (schematically designated 43 in FIG. 1) isperpendicular to the direction in which the hand movements will stretchthe glove when the hand makes a first.

The protective member 30 can be attached permanently to at least oneportion 21 a of the glove 20 by adhering the protective member to thatat least one portion 21 a of the glove 20 that is formed of flexible,extensible and retractable material and that desirably is configured tocover a part of the hand that is to be shielded from the effects ofimpacts. For example, the layer 40 of perforated foam forming theprotective member 30 could be ultrasonically attachable to a suitablenonwoven material forming a portion 21 a of the glove's shell 21 or heatsealable thereto.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a portion 21 a of the back of the shell21 of the glove 20 of FIGS. 1 and 9 with the glove's outermost layer ofmaterial removed from the outer surface 40 a of the layer 40 ofperforated foam. The inner surface of the layer 40 of perforated foam isopposite the outer surface 40 a of the layer 40 of perforated foam, andthus the inner surface of the layer 40 of perforated foam is not visiblein the view shown in FIG. 6.

As schematically shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 9, the inner surface of thelayer 40 of perforated foam can be attached permanently to an underlyingportion 21 a of the shell 21. Such portion 21 a of the shell 21 isconfigured to cover a part of the hand that is to be shielded from thepotentially injurious effects of impacts from externally applied bluntforce. Moreover, such portion 21 a of the shell 21 desirably can beformed of flexible, extensible and retractable material. Desirably, suchportion 21 a of the shell 21 can be formed of material that isbreathable. As schematically shown in FIG. 1, other portions 21 b of theshell 21 that do not underlie any protective member 30 need not beformed of material that is either extensible or breathable. However, insome embodiments, the entire shell 21 can be formed of one or morematerials that is/are both extensible and retractable and breathable.

As schematically shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the protective member 30 caninclude at least a first skin layer 51 that desirably can be attached tothe layer 40 of perforated foam material. The first skin layer 51 can beused as a covering that is applied to the outer surface 40 a of thelayer 40 of foam material. FIG. 7 is a view similar to the view of FIG.6 but showing a first skin layer 51 attached to the outer surface 40 aof the layer 40 of foam material. For aesthetic purposes, first skinlayer 51 desirably can be formed of a relatively thin layer of spunbondmaterial that is attached to the outer surface 40 a of the layer 40 ofperforated foam material.

Other materials can be used as the first skin layer 51 for aestheticpurposes or for other purposes. For example, such other purposes couldinclude the provision of a first skin layer 51 to accomplish heatinsulation. Other examples would include a first skin layer 51 that canbe a fire retardant layer, and/or a hydrophobic layer to preventmoisture from reaching the foam layer 40 and shell 21 and/or ahydrophilic layer to wick moisture away from the foam layer 40 and theshell 21. However, such other materials forming the first skin layer 51connected to the outer surface 40 a of the perforated foam layer 40desirably will be both extensible and retractable to accommodate handmovements and in many cases will be breathable as well. In oneconfiguration for example, the first skin layer 51 may be a hydrophobicnonwoven material.

As schematically shown in FIG. 8, the protective member 30 can include asecond skin layer 52 that desirably can be attached to the inner surfaceof the layer 40 of perforated foam material and thus become disposedbetween the outer surface of the shell 21 and the layer 40 of perforatedfoam material. For example, the layer 40 of perforated foam materialthat is included as part of the protective member 30 can be laminatedbetween two skin. layers 51, 52, one on each opposite surface of thelayer 40 of perforated foam material. The second skin layer 52 can beprovided to perform any of a number of functions. Some examples wouldinclude a second skin layer 52 that can be a heat insulating layer,and/or a fire retardant layer, and/or a hydrophobic layer to preventmoisture from reaching the shell 21 and/or a hydrophilic layer to wickmoisture away from the shell 21.

The various members, layers and/or components of the glove 20 of thepresent disclosure may be assembled together using any known attachmentmeans, such as adhesives, ultrasonic bonding, thermal bonds, etc.Suitable adhesives may include, for example, hot melted adhesives,pressure-sensitive adhesives, and so forth. The perforated foam layer 40desirably is connected to the underlying portion 21 a of the shell 21 bybeing laminated thereto.

As mentioned above and schematically shown in FIGS. 6-8 for example, theextensibility of the perforated foam layer 40 has a directionalcharacteristic. The longer dimension of each of the slits 41 defines adirectional parameter (often referred to as the machine directionbecause of the way that the material is produced) to the perforated foamlayer 40 because all of the slits 41 are defined parallel to thisdirectional component. The direction in which the foam layer 40 isextensible to the greatest extent is the direction that is perpendicularto the direction in which the slit's longer dimension extends.

When the protective member 30 is attached to the shell 21 of the glove20, the direction of alignment of the slits 41 in the perforated foamlayer 40 should be oriented so that this alignment direction isperpendicular to the direction in which the hand movements will stretchthe glove. Accordingly, as shown schematically in FIG. 1 for example,when the protective member 30 is situated on the back of the hand, it isdesirable to dispose the protective member 30 such that the direction 43in which the slits 41 are aligned is parallel to the breadth of the backof the hand and perpendicular to the direction in which the fingers ofthe hand extend. Accordingly, as schematically shown in FIG. 9 forexample, when a protective member 30 is located over one of the knucklesof a finger on the back of the finger (as opposed to the palm side ofthe finger), the alignment direction 43 of the slits 41 in theperforated foam layer 40 should be perpendicular to the direction inwhich the fingers of the hand extend in order to accommodate thestretching of the glove 20 in the direction that is parallel to thedirection in which the fingers extend when the fingers of the hand arecurled in the manner necessary to form a first for example.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6-11 for example, the perforated foam layer 40forming part of the protective member can include a plurality ofpassages in the form of slits 41 that are defined completely through thethickness of layer 40. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 -11 for example, thesepassages 41 may be defined by a pattern of perforations in the form ofslit apertures 41. A detailed description of a slit aperturing processis provided, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,107, which is herebyincorporated herein for all purposes by this reference. The passages orapertures 41 provide the foam layer 40 with a desired degree ofextensibility. As schematically shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when the foamlayer is stretched, the opposed walls of the slit 41 separate to formcell formations 42 within the layer of foam 40. Also, as schematicallyshown in FIGS. 10 and 11, when sealed by the skin layers 51, 52 and/orat least certain portions 21 a of the shell 21, the apertures 41 definerelatively large closed-cell formations 42 within the foam layer 40 thatprovide additional beneficial thermal insulating characteristics.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view that schematically represents a portion 21a of the shell 21 of the glove that includes a protective member that isbeing stretched by movement of the hand in the direction that isperpendicular to the machine direction 43 of the perforated foam layer40. As shown in FIGS. 1, 6, 7 and 9 for example, the protective memberincludes a foam layer 40 having a pattern of passages, such as slits 41,defined therethrough. As noted above, the foam layer 40 perforated withslits 41 through the layer 40 can be attached permanently to the outersurface of the glove's shell 21 at those portions 21 a of the shell 21that are overlying parts of the hand where impact protection is desired.Each of those portions 21 a of the shell 21 desirably can be formed ofan extensible and retractable material to accommodate expansion of boththe hand's movements and expansion of the perforated foam layer 40. Asshown schematically in FIGS. 10 and 11 for example, upon certainstretching movements of the hand within the glove 20, the slits 41 openinto cells 42 to accommodate the expansion. As schematically shown inFIGS. 10 and 11, when the foam layer 40 expands, the slits 41 that arecut through the foam layer 40 open to become expanded cells 42 in thefoam layer 40. These cells 42 are defined by the walls of the slits 41,and those walls are most widely separated from each other when thedirection of expansion is perpendicular to the direction 43 of alignmentof the slits 41. The cells 42 are closed on at least the end thereofthat opens through the foam layer's inner surface that can be attachedto the corresponding portions 21 a of the shell 21.

Desirably, in embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 9 for example, theprotective member 30 can be attached permanently to the back portion ofthe glove 20 to provide protection against impacts to the back of thewearer's hand, while rendering the back of the glove 20 breathablethrough the protective member 30 and extensible and retractable when theglove 20 is worn. The back portion 21 a of the shell 21 can define aninner surface facing the back of the wearer's hand and an outer surfaceopposite the inner surface. The back portion 21 a of the shell 21 can beconfigured to cover the knuckles of the glove's wearer. In order to moreefficiently accommodate the stretching movements of the hand when thehand flexes between the open palm configuration and the closed firstconfiguration, the protective member 30 desirably can be disposed on theback portion 21 a of the shell 21 of the glove 20 so that a substantialproportion of the slits 41 in the foam layer 40 are aligned generallyperpendicular to the direction in which the fingers point away from thepalm when the hand assumes the open palm configuration shown in FIG. 1.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 9 for example, a protective member30 can be attached to the back portion 21 a of the shell 21 of the glove20 over one of the knuckles of one of the finger portions of the shell21 to provide protection against impacts to that finger's knuckle, whilerendering that portion of the glove 20 breathable and extensible andretractable when the glove is worn. In order to more efficientlyaccommodate stretching movement of the finger when the finger flexesthat knuckle between the open palm configuration and the closed firstconfiguration, the protective member 30 desirably can be disposed onthat portion 21 a of the shell 21 of the glove 20 so that a substantialproportion of the slits 41 in the foam layer 40 are aligned generallyperpendicular to the direction in which that finger points away from thepalm when the hand assumes the open palm configuration as shown in FIG.9. In still other embodiments shown in FIG. 9 for example, discreteprotective members 30 can be attached to the back portion(s) 21 a of theshell 21 of the glove 20 over more than one of the knuckles of one ofthe finger portions of the shell 21 and/or more than one of the fingersof the glove 20 to provide protection against impacts to the knuckles ofthose fingers, while rendering those portions of the glove breathableand extensible when the glove 20 is worn. The embodiment of FIG. 9 alsoshows a protective member 30 disposed on the back of the glove 20 thatprotects the back of the hand from impacts.

In embodiments with a first skin layer 51 attached to the outer surface40 a of the layer 40 of perforated foam, the cells 42 are closed on oneend thereof by the first skin layer 51 and on the opposite end by theportion 21 a of the shell 21 underlying the foam layer 40. In suchembodiments, the expanded cells 42, the first skin layer 51 and theportion 21 a of the shell 21 define a network of relatively large closedcells 42 in the foam layer 40. The foam material is, in turn, defined bysmaller open cells, closed cells, or a combination of open and closedcells. Thus, it should be appreciated that the layer 40 of foam materialand its system of closed slits 41 and expanded cells 42 provide thoseportions 21 a of the glove 20 that are covered by protective members 30with an overall increase in heat insulation in addition to an increasein impact protection.

As noted above, the glove 20 can include a perforated foam layer 40 thatis connected permanently to a portion 21 a of the shell of the glove tooffer protection to part of the hand wearing the glove. Notwithstandingthis protection, the layer 40 of foam material is desirably ofsufficient thickness and rigidity such that the underlying part of thehand would still be breathable through the corresponding portion 21 a ofthe shell 21, and the glove 20 would retain most of the desiredextensibility and retractability that attends the breathable andextensible and retractable material that forms the underlying portion 21a of the shell 21.

Desirably, the perforated foam layer 40 of the protective member 30 canhave a basis weight of, for example, in a range of about 100 grams persquare meter (gsm) to about 300 gsm. Other basis weights for theperforated foam layer 40 of the protective member 30 are alsocontemplated within the scope of the disclosure.

Each of the skin layers 51, 52 can be laminated to the perforated foamlayer 40 of the protective member 30. Each of the skin layers 51, 52 maybe, for example, a nonwoven material, particularly a hydrophobicnonwoven web such as a spunbond material that can have a basis weightof, for example, in a range of about 10 grams per square meter (gsm) toabout 50 gsm. For example, the foam layer 40 may have a basis weight ofless than about 180 gsm, which when combined with the first skin layer51 on the outer surface 40 a of the foam layer 40 may comprise a totalbasis weight of less than about 200 gsm. A laminate of two skin layers51, 52 sandwiching the perforated foam layer 40 to form the protectivemember 30 as schematically shown in FIG. 8 can comprise a total basisweight of less than about 600.0 gsm. The protective member 30 may have abulk thickness of less than about 4.0 mm, and more particularly lessthan about 3.5 mm or 3.0 mm. The protective member 30 may have a singlelayer thickness of less than about 4.0 mm, and more particularly lessthan about 3.0 mm.

The inner surface of the foam layer 40 of the protective member 30 canbe permanently applied or attached, as by lamination or other means ofattachment, to the outer surface of a corresponding portion 21 a of theshell 21, while the outer surface 40 a of the foam layer 40 can remainexposed in some embodiments of the protective glove 20. In other words,as shown in FIG. 6 for example, a first skin layer 51 is not applied tothe outer surface 40 a of the foam layer 40 in some embodiments.

In use of the glove 20, the protective member 30 alternately expands andcontracts to accommodate movements of the hand wearing the glove. 20.The slits 41 in the foam layer 40 open into cells 42 to accommodate thisexpansion and provide an impact-cushioning pad that protects the glove'swearer against the potentially adverse effects of impacts to thoseportions of the hand covered by the protective members 30. Theprotective member 30 having the expanded closed cell 42 configurationmay also include any one or combination of the thermal or physicalcharacteristics set forth herein. As a less expensive alternative tocotton gloves, the glove 20 of the present disclosure would bebreathable and extensible in areas where movement of the hand demandedand yet provide impact protection to those same areas of the hand whilenot unduly impeding hand movement that stretches the glove 20.

Materials

Non-limiting examples of suitable materials that may be used in impactprotection gloves made in accordance with the disclosure are presentedbelow.

As schematically shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 for example, the shell 21 can beformed by a laminate material that includes several layers of materialthat overlie one another and are laminated together. For example, theshell 21 may include a laminate that includes a nonwoven insulationmaterial and a thermally conductive film. However, the portions 21 a ofthe shell's substrate on which the protective member 30 is attached mustitself be extensible and retractable in order to take advantage of theextensibility and retractability of the protective member 30 thatincludes the perforated foam layer 40.

In accordance with the present disclosure, the type of substrate thatcan be used to form the first skin layer 51 when laminated with the foamlayer 40 will include nonwoven fabrics, and particularly spunbonded webs(apertured or non-apertured). Each of the skin layers 51, 52 that can belaminated or otherwise attached to the perforated foam layer 40 to forma protective member 30 may include a wettable (hydrophilic) material ora non-wettable (hydrophobic) material. A non-wettable material may bedesired in that condensation will be drawn away from the skin layers 51,52. Suitable materials include a spunbond web, a coform web, a tissueweb, a meltblown web, a bonded carded web, film layers, and laminatesthereof. A nonwoven material can be made from various fibers, such assynthetic or natural fibers. For instance, in one embodiment, syntheticfibers, such as fibers made from thermoplastic polymers, can be used toconstruct one or more of the skin layers 51, 52 of the presentdisclosure. For example, suitable fibers could include melt-spunfilaments, staple fibers, melt-spun multi-component filaments, and thelike. These synthetic fibers or filaments used in making the nonwovenmaterial may have any suitable morphology and may include hollow orsolid, straight or crimped, single component, conjugate or biconstituentfibers or filaments, and blends or mixtures of such fibers and/orfilaments, as are well known in the art. Synthetic fibers added to thenonwoven web also can include staple fibers that can be added toincrease the strength, bulk, softness and smoothness of the base sheet.Staple fibers can include, for instance, various polyolefin fibers,polyester fibers, nylon fibers, polyvinyl acetate fibers, cotton fibers,rayon fibers, non-woody plant fibers, and mixtures thereof.

A particularly useful material for use as a first and/or second skinlayer 51, 52 is a hydrophobic bonded carded web designated 336D from BBANonwovens, Inc. of Simpsonville, S.C., USA, having a basis weight of 31gsm.

Each skin layer 51, 52 may comprise a laminate containing two or morewebs. For instance, the web may comprise aspunbonded/meltblown/spunbonded laminate, a spunbonded/meltblownlaminate and the like.

The outermost first skin layer 51 may define a texturized surface thatpresents a grip-enhancing surface to a user. The manner in which atexturized surface is formed can vary depending upon the particularapplication of the desired result. The outermost skin layer 51 may bemade from a nonwoven web that has been thermally point unbonded to forma plurality of tufts. As used herein, a substrate that has been“thermally point unbonded” refers to a substrate that includes raisedunbonded areas or lightly bonded areas that form bumps or tuftssurrounded by bonded regions.

Besides point unbonded materials, there are many other methods forcreating texturized surfaces on base webs and many other texturizedmaterials can be utilized. Examples of known nonwoven, texturizedmaterials, include rush transfer materials, flocked materials,wireformed nonwovens, creped nonwovens, and the like. Moreover,through-air bonded fibers, such as through-air bonded bicomponentspunbond, or point unbonded materials, such as point unbonded spunbondfibers, can be incorporated into a base web to provide texture to theweb.

In one embodiment, the texturized material can be a loop material. Asused herein, a loop material refers to a material that has a surfacethat is at least partially covered by looped bristles that can vary inheight and stiffness depending upon the particular application. Further,the looped bristles can be sparsely spaced apart or can be denselypacked together. The loop material can be made in a number of differentways. For example, the loop can be a woven fabric or a knitted fabric.In one embodiment, the loop material is made by needle punching loopsinto a substrate. In other embodiments, the loop material can be formedthrough a hydroentangling process or can be molded, such as through aninjection molding process. Of course, any other suitable technique knownin the art for producing looped bristles can also be used.

In certain embodiments of the insulating glove, the outermost skin layer51 may be liquid impermeable. This/these liquid impermeable layer(s) canbe made from liquid-impermeable plastic films, such as polyethylene andpolypropylene films. Generally, such plastic films are impermeable togases and water vapor, as well as liquids. In some embodiments,breathable, liquid-impermeable barriers are desired.

The skin layers 51, 52 and at least certain portions 21 a of the shell21 may be elastomeric so as to be extensible and retractable and therebyable to accommodate expansion and contraction of the protective member30, and also be able to provide a positive gripping force against thewearer's hand. In this regard, the skin layers 51, 52 and at leastcertain portions 21 a of the shell 21 may contain elastic strands orsections uniformly or randomly distributed throughout the material.Alternatively, the elastic component can be an elastic film or anelastic nonwoven web. In general, any material known in the art topossess elastomeric characteristics can be used in the presentdisclosure as an elastomeric component. Useful elastomeric materials caninclude, but are not limited to, films, foams, nonwoven materials, etc.An elastomeric component may form an elastic laminate with one or moreother layers, such as foams, films, apertured films, and/or nonwovenwebs. The elastic laminate generally contains layers that can be bondedtogether so that at least one of the layers has the characteristics ofan elastic polymer. Examples of elastic laminates include, but are notlimited to, stretch-bonded laminates and neck-bonded laminates. In oneembodiment, the elastic member can be a neck stretched-bonded laminate.Of particular advantage, a neck stretch bonded laminate is stretchablein the machine direction and in a cross machine direction. Further, aneck stretch-bonded laminate can be made with a nonwoven basing that istexturized. In particular, the neck stretched bonded laminate can bemade so as to include a nonwoven facing that gathers and becomes bunchedso as to form a textured surface.

Other exemplary elastomeric materials which may be used includepolyurethane elastomeric materials such as, for example, those availableunder the trademark ESTANE® from B.F. Goodrich & Co. or MORTHANE® fromMorton Thiokol Corp., polyester elastomeric materials such as, forexample, those available under the trade designation HYTREL® from E.I.DuPont De Nemours & Company, and those known as ARNITEL®, formerlyavailable from Akzo Plastics of Amhem, Holland and now available fromDSM of Sittard, Holland.

Another elastomeric material believed to be suitable is a polyesterblock amide copolymer. Elastomeric polymers can also include copolymersof ethylene and at least one vinyl monomer such as, for example, vinylacetates, unsaturated aliphatic monocarboxylic acids, and esters of suchmonocarboxylic acids. The elastomeric copolymers and formation ofelastomeric nonwoven webs from those elastomeric copolymers aredisclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,803,117, which is herebyincorporated herein in its entirety for all purposes by this reference.

Various foam materials may be utilized as the foam layer 40 forming theprotective member 30 in gloves 20 according to the present disclosure.In particular embodiments, the foam layer 40 has a basis weight of lessthan about 150 gsm. A particularly well-suited foam is a styrene based,low-density, open-cell foam made with balanced amounts of one or moresurfactants and a plasticizing agent in a foam polymer formula.Thermoplastic elastomers can be added to the foam polymer formula toimprove softness, flexibility, elasticity, and resiliency of the foamlayer. The open-cell content of the foam is controlled by adjusting theamount of surfactant and/or plasticizing agent included in the foampolymer formulation, and in particular embodiments suited for thepresent disclosure, the open-cell content can be at about 80% orgreater. The density of the foam is less than about 0.1 g/cc, anddesirably less than about 0.07 g/cc (before any compression is appliedto meet packaging or use requirements). This particular type of foam isdescribed in detail in the published U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/729881 (Publication No, 20050124709) and U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/218825 (Publication No. 20060030632), both of which being herebyincorporated herein in their entireties for all purposes by thisreference.

Another commercially available foam believed to be suitable for use asthe perforated foam layer 40 in some embodiments of the protectivemember 30 according to the present disclosure is a closed-cellpolyethylene based foam from by Sealed Air Corp. of Saddle Brook, N.J.,USA, identified as product codes “CA 90” and “CA 125.” The CA 90 codehas a thickness of 3/32 inches (2.38 mm), and the CA 125 code has athickness of ⅛ inches (3.18 mm).

An insulation layer may be employed to inhibit loss of cold to the outerenvironment. The insulation layer may be within the interior of theshell 21, or attached to the outer surface of the shell 21. Thisinsulation layer also may serve to present a soft, compliant, andfunctional surface to the user. The material forming the insulationlayer may be; for example, a nonwoven material that is creped, embossed,textured, or otherwise presents a grip-enhanced surface to the user. Anyknown insulation material may be employed in this regard. If desired,the selected insulation material may be fibrous in nature to improve theoverall conformability of the glove 20. The fibrous material may possesshigh loft to enhance its insulative properties. Suitable high loftmaterials may include porous woven materials, porous nonwoven materials,etc. Particularly suitable high loft materials are nonwovenmulticomponent (e.g., bicomponent) polymeric webs. For example, themulticomponent polymers of such webs may be mechanically or chemicallycrimped to increase loft. Examples of suitable high loft materials aredescribed in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,400 to Pike, et al.;U.S. Pat. No. 5,418,945 to Pike, et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,906,879 toHuntoon, et al., which are hereby incorporated herein in theirentireties for all purposes by this reference thereto. Still othersuitable materials for use as an insulation material are described inU.S. Pat. No. 6,197,045 to Carson, which is hereby incorporated hereinin its entirety for all purposes by this reference thereto.

An insulation material layer may be provided at the outer surface of theshell 21 or covering the protective member 30 to insulate the wearerfrom excessive heat.

As stated above, an elastic material or device is one capable of stretchand recovery; that is, at a minimum an elastic material or device iscapable of being extended or elongated upon the application of force toan extended length at least about 20 percent greater than its relaxed,original length, and is also capable of recovering at least 30 percentof its elongation upon release of the stretching elongating force.However, it may be desired to provide higher levels of stretchabilityand/or recovery. As an example, it may be desired to provide a glove asa “one size fits all” or “one size fits most” product, where a singlesize glove is capable of stretching and/or recovering to such an extentthat a variety of shapes and/or sizes of hands may be accommodated bythe impact protection glove. In terms of extensibility orstretchability, an elastic material or device may have greater capacityfor stretch or elongation without rupture, such as being capable ofbeing stretched to an extended, biased length that is at least about 50percent greater than its relaxed, unstretched length. For some uses orapplications, it may be desirable for an elastic material or device tobe capable of being stretched without rupture to a biased length that isat least about 100 percent greater than its unstretched length ordimension, and for other uses it may be desirable for the elasticmaterial to be capable of being stretched without rupture to a biasedlength that is at least 150 percent greater, or even 200 percent (oreven more) than its unstretched length or dimension.

In terms of the level of elastic recovery, an elastic material mayadditionally be capable of recovering at least about 50 percent or moreof the extension length. Depending on the desired use or application, anelastic material may desirably be capable of recovering about 75percent, or even about 85 percent or more of the extension length, andfor still other uses an elastic material may desirably be capable ofrecovering substantially all of the extension length. As a particularnumerical example to aid the understanding of the foregoing, for anelastic material capable being stretched to a biased length that is 100percent greater than its original length and having a 75 percentrecovery, if the material has a relaxed, unstretched length of 10centimeters, the material may be stretched to at least 20 centimeters bya stretching force, and upon release of the stretching force willrecover to a length of not more than 12.5 centimeters.

While the disclosure has been described in detail with respect to thespecific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that those skilledin the art, upon attaining an understanding of the foregoing, mayreadily conceive of alterations to, variations of, and equivalents tothese embodiments. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosureshould be assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalentsthereto.

1. An impact protection glove for working environments, comprising: ashell defining a hollow cavity configured to receive the hand of thewearer and defining at least a first portion formed of at least a firstmaterial that is extensible in a first direction to accommodatemovements of the hand wearing the glove; and a first protective memberincluding a first layer of perforated foam material having a pluralityof slits defined therethrough with a substantial proportion of saidslits aligned parallel to a second direction that differs from saidfirst direction, said first protective member being permanentlyconnected to said first portion of said shell with said substantialproportion of said slits aligned in said second direction being disposedso that said second direction is perpendicular to said first directionof the extensibility of said first portion of said shell.
 2. The gloveas in claim 1, wherein said first layer of perforated foam materialdefines an outer surface and an inner surface disposed opposite saidouter surface, said inner surface is disposed in opposition to saidfirst portion of said shell and said protective member furthercomprising a first skin layer disposed to cover said first layer ofperforated foam material and connected to said outer surface of saidfirst layer of perforated foam material.
 3. The glove as in claim 2,wherein said first skin layer is formed of a thin layer of spunbondmaterial laminated to said outer surface of said first layer ofperforated foam material.
 4. The glove as in claim 1, wherein said firstlayer of perforated foam material has a bulk thickness of less thanabout 3.0 mm.
 5. The glove as in claim 1, wherein said shell comprisesan elastomeric nonwoven material.
 6. The glove as in claim 1, whereinsaid shell comprises a heat insulating material.
 7. The glove as inclaim 1, wherein said shell comprises a hydrophobic nonwoven material.8. The glove as in claim 1, wherein said first protective member andsaid first portion of said shell are configured and disposed to overlythe back of the wearer's hand.
 9. The glove as in claim 8, wherein saidfirst direction is generally parallel to the direction in which thefingers of the glove extend outwardly away from the palm of the glovewhen the glove is disposed in the open palm configuration.
 10. The gloveas in claim 8, wherein said shell includes a second portion that coverspart of one of the fingers of the wearer's hand, the glove furthercomprising a second protective member including a second layer ofperforated foam material having an inner surface and an outer surfacedisposed opposite said inner surface, said second protective memberincluding a skin layer laminated to said inner surface of said secondlayer of perforated foam material, said second protective member beingattached permanently to said second portion of said shell via said skinlayer being permanently attached to said second portion of said shell.11. The glove as in claim 1, wherein said shell defines at least asecond portion formed of material that is extensible in a thirddirection to accommodate movements of the hand wearing the glove, saidglove further comprising a second protective member including a secondlayer of perforated foam material having a plurality of slits definedtherethrough with a substantial proportion of said slits alignedparallel to a fourth direction, said second protective member beingpermanently connected to said second portion of said shell with saidsubstantial proportion of said slits of said second layer of perforatedfoam aligned in said fourth direction being disposed so that said fourthdirection is perpendicular to said third direction of the extensibilityof said second portion of said shell.
 12. The glove as in claim 11,wherein said third direction is substantially the same as said firstdirection, and said third direction differs from said fourth direction,and said second protective member and said second portion of said shellare configured and disposed to overly a portion of one of the fingers ofthe wearer's hand.
 13. The glove as in claim 12, wherein said secondprotective member and said second portion of said shell are configuredand disposed to overly the back of one of the knuckles of one of thefingers of the glove.
 14. The glove as in claim 13, wherein said firstdirection is generally parallel to the direction in which the fingers ofthe glove extend outwardly away from the palm of the glove when theglove is disposed in the open palm configuration.
 15. The glove as inclaim 1, wherein said first layer of perforated foam has a thickness ina range of about ⅛ inch to about 0.5 inch.
 16. The glove as in claim 11,wherein said first layer of perforated foam material has a differentthickness than said second layer of perforated foam material.
 17. Theglove as in claim 1, wherein said first layer of perforated foam has abasis weight in a range of about 100 gsm to about 500 gsm.
 18. The gloveas in claim 1, wherein said first protective member and said firstportion of said shell are configured and disposed to overly a part ofone of the fingers of the wearer's hand.
 19. The glove as in claim 2,wherein said first skin layer is formed of a hydrophobic nonwovenmaterial.
 20. The glove as in claim 2, wherein said first skin layerdefines an exterior texturized surface that presents an aestheticallypleasing surface.